Draft California 2020 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 5 - Central Valley Region

Water Body Name: Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
Water Body ID: CAR5363102220080808181306
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
72769
Region 5     
Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Sources: A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Twelve of the 31 samples exceed the water quality objective.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Twelve of 31 samples exceeded the E. Coli objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72769, Indicator Bacteria
Region 5     
Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 23306
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 24
Number of Exceedances: 8
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program collected 24 samples from February 2003 to March 2004. Eight of the 24 samples exceeded the evaluation objective.
Data Reference: Monitoring Data from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP), San Joaquin River Basin - 2007 Data Review
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. The objective applies regardless of whether the toxicity is caused by a single substance or the interactive effect of multiple substances.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
Objective/Criterion Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Evaluation Guideline: The USEPA E. Coli objective of 235/100 mL in any single sample (USEPA 1986).
Guideline Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Sullivan Creek at Algerine Road.
Temporal Representation: Sampling occurred from February 2003 to March 2004.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data quality: Good. Monitoring was conducted in accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's Quality Assurance Program Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72769, Indicator Bacteria
Region 5     
Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 71217
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Four of the seven samples exceeded the E. coli objective.
Data Reference: Data for Tuolumne County Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Report, 2007-2009.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain chemical constituents in concentrations that adversely affect beneficial uses. (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline: The E. coli concentration shall not exceed more than 235/100 ml. USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986.
Guideline Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at Sullivan Creek at Bergel Road-SR 108. WBID: CAR5363102220080808181306
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected once a month from December 2008 to June 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: This data was collected under the QAPP for Tuolumne County Water Quality Plan and Water-Quality Monitoring Field Procedures Manual, Tuolumne County Stream Team.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
74482
Region 5     
Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the 40 samples exceed the water quality objective.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Zero of 40 samples exceeded the objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 74482, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 7974
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 24
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Zero of the 24 samples collected by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program exceeded the evaluation objective for Dissolved Oxygen.
Data Reference: San Joaquin River SWAMP Monitoring Data - Eastside Basin
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan Objective sets the minimum Dissolved Oxygen content at 5 mg/L
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Sullivan Creek at Algerine Road.
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected from Feb 18 2003 to Mar 17 2004
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Monitoring was conducted in accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's Quality Assurance Program Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 74482, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 71233
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 16
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Numeric data generated from 16 minimums of Dissolved Oxygen concentrations had no exceedences.
Data Reference: Data for Tuolumne County Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Report, 2007-2009.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The dissolved oxygen concentrations shall not be reduced below the following minimum levels at any time: Waters designated COLD: 7.0 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from the Sullivan Creek at Bergel Road-SR 108 station.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected approximately once a month from November 2007 to December 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLAN TUOLUMNE COUNTY WATER QUALITY PLAN PROJECT Final Version 1.0 Prepared for Tuolumne County By Environmental Science Associates (September 21, 2005)
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
92166
Region 5     
Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the 16 samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Zero of 16 samples exceeded Evaluation Guideline and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2.
4. Pursuant to Section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 92166, Temperature, water
Region 5     
Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 71235
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 16
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data provided by CSERC (Tuolumne County Stream Team). None of the 15 samples exceeded the evaluation guideline for temperature in this water body.
Data Reference: Data for Tuolumne County Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Report, 2007-2009.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses. In determining compliance with the water quality objectives for temperature, appropriate averaging periods may be applied provided that beneficial uses will be fully protected (Central Valley Regional Board Basin Plan, Pg. III-8.00, Water Quality Objectives).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline: Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).
Guideline Reference: Inland Fishes of California (1976)
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected in Sullivan Creek at Bergel Road-SR 108.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected monthly from 11/2007-6/2008 and 1/2009-6/2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLAN TUOLUMNE COUNTY WATER QUALITY PLAN PROJECT Final Version 1.0 Prepared for Tuolumne County By Environmental Science Associates (September 21, 2005)
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
92167
Region 5     
Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
 
Pollutant: Trash
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the zero samples exceed the Criteria/Objective.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Zero of zero samples exceeded Criteria/Objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2.
4. Pursuant to Section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 92167, Trash
Region 5     
Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 59491
 
Pollutant: Trash
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Nuisance
Matrix: -N/A
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Occurrence of conditions judged to cause impairment
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: During multiple dates in 2007 and 2008, the Tuolumne County Stream Team observed litter, trash, foam, and suds.
Data Reference: Data for Tuolumne County Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Report, 2007-2009.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Region 5 Basin Plan: Water shall not contain floating material in amounts that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. Waters shall not contain oils, greases, waxes, or other materials in concentrations that cause nuisance, result in a visible film or coating on the surface of the water or on objects in the water, or otherwise adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Sullivan Creek at SR 108/Bergel Road.
Temporal Representation: Multiple dates in 2007 and 2008.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Tuolumne County Water Quality Plan Project QAPP, dated Sept. 2005 was provided.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Project Plan for Tuolumne County Water Quality Project, versioin 1.0.
 
 
DECISION ID
74245
Region 5     
Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
 
Pollutant: pH
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Two of the 30 samples exceed the water quality objective.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Two of 30 samples exceeded the objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 74245, pH
Region 5     
Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 7976
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 24
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Zero of the 24 samples collected by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program exceeded the evaluation objective for pH.
Data Reference: San Joaquin River SWAMP Monitoring Data - Eastside Basin
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: pH levels should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5 (Basin Plan Objective)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Sullivan Creek at Algerine Road.
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected from Feb 18 2003 to Mar 17 2004
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Monitoring was conducted in accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's Quality Assurance Program Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 74245, pH
Region 5     
Sullivan Creek (from Phoenix Reservoir to Don Pedro Lake, Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 71234
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 16
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Numeric data generated from 16 minimums and maximums of pH data had 2 exceedences.
Data Reference: Data for Tuolumne County Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Report, 2007-2009.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The pH of all inland surface waters shall not be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.5 as a result of waste discharges.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from the Sullivan Creek at Bergel Road-SR 108 station.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected approximately once a month from November 2007 to June 2008 and December 2008 to May 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: NPDES quality assurance.
QAPP Information Reference(s):